Will i be able to do 100miles

[skinnydog1973]

I was just wondering what peoples opinion was, i have taken a day off work tomorrow and was going to go for my biggest ride yet 75 miles riding from consett to hartside pass and back, but then thought why dont i just go for the big one and go to penrith and back for the big 100,now i have only been riding a few months, my biggest ride is 50 miles but that was on a flat course,if i take the right food and drinks do you think i could do this or am i biting off a bit too much i average aout 15mph but have all day to do this,would i notice a big difference between the 75 and 100 cheers

 

[vickster]

Check the weather forecast, have a good breakfast, set out early, take plenty of cash for food, take some goodies and plenty of water with you and have a bail out plan (i.e. check where the stations are).

Don't forget mobile phone, inner tubes, tools and pump. How are you route finding? Take a map and make sure your phone or whatever is fully charged. Fit lights to the bike too if not already done

How is your saddle comfort over long distances, perhaps get some chamois cream if you don't use it already

Good luck. I couldn't average 15mph over 100 miles unless it was pancake flat with a tailwind...and even then!

 

[ColinJ]

There is quite a difference between 50 flat miles and 100 hilly miles but if you eat and drink plenty and take your time then you might be okay.

I would check the weather forecast though - you do not want to be doubling the distance, adding in hills, and then having to deal with horrible weather conditions too!

If you are going over Hartside Pass, then you should have a good idea of how you are doing by the time you get to the summit. I suggest that you think hard about how you feel up there. If you have any doubts, turn round and head for home. If you feel good, maybe press on, but remember that you will have to ride back over that huge hill on the return leg ...

 

[avsd]

Stepping up from 50 to 100 in a single step is a big ask especially if you are on your own. As Vickster said, weather will be a big determining factor.

On a bad day the difference between 75 & 100 is big step but with good weather and a steady pace ....

 

[Sittingduck]

50 > 100 is a big step up, imho. Could be especially testing if there's a lot of extra climbing in the route. Not so say that it's impossible but I would think seriously about bail out options in the latter part of the ride, just incase. Good luck!

 

[ColinJ]

Bailout option - train from Penrith to Hexham = £15!

 

[skinnydog1973]

Yes Colin that was my plan go to the cafe at hartside and if i feel good enough keep going otherwise turn round but as you say if i go down that hill its a stinker to come back up it

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Go out and see how you feel and give yourself bail out options, I know when I do 100 mile rides I always feel worse around the 60 miles mark so I try and make sure I am somewhere I can stop and get something to eat and have a rest around the halfway point.

 

[mcshroom]

I'd be tempted to head north after Alston instead of heading for Hartside and pick up the Hadrians Cycleway at brampton. This route is a little flatter, has quite a few facilities and most usefully, follows the railway line so there are bail-out options all the way along the route back.

Heading back east from Hartside Summit still takes you through the steep hills over the Pennines.

 

[matthat]

I've been doing 10-30's solo for last few years and this year i've started going out riding with a fella from work and he's upped me to 60's with him so on tues I decided to go out on my own as i wanted to visit friends half way at the 30 mile mark then when I got home i'd actually done 62 which i'm pleased about!! Now going back to OP's question i'm doing the liverpool chester 100 in 10 days or so and i'm actually quite daunted now. But I do think that the right conditions and food you will be able to do it at a steady pace. I was riding with a twinge in my knee which i just shrugged off but now realise i've twinged a tendon so its rest up now till the 100 comes along and hope for the best. But having a bail out plan either by train or car is a must i would also say. Good Luck.

 

[jonny jeez]

Leave at dawn, you'll be home by 3, including hour's of stops for cake and photos along the way.

Just take your time and it'll roll under you. Even the hills, whilst they hurt at the time, will be forgotten in seconds.

 

[thegravestoneman]

Don't do the hundred, do one fifty which you know you can do and when you finish that have a sit down then do one 30 followed by a 20. When you get home you will find that you have done a hundred anyway . Doable chunks ain't too daunting in my book not many people read it though. Good luck with your ride(s)

 

[HLaB]

Don't do the hundred, do one fifty

150 thats confidence

 

[thegravestoneman]

150 thats confidence

oops! must re-read before posting

maybe it should read do 'a fifty' etc.

 

[Lee_M]

My longest ride was 67miles before I went and did a 117mile

although the last 15 miles were the LONGEST 15 miles I have ever ever ever ridden

take your time and eat and drink lots and I reckon youll be fine, set yourself targets as mentioned above rather than think of it as 100m